Nagao can come across as grumpy... but he's always polite - he's just focused on the sushi.
The sushi is well prepared, and travels really well for takeout, which can't be said about a lot of places. There is a good balance on the menu, skewing toward fairly healthy choices.
Cucumber-wrapped rolls are a nice variety, and the special rolls in are well thought out & subtle, not trendy.
Pros: lunch is underrated, great variety of salads for sushi place
Cons: grumpy Nagao?
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DEFINITELY NOT! We had been to Nagao's 3 x's in the past. It wasn't the greatest sushi place but it's wasn't bad either. We decided to go again on Saturday afternoon even though we typically go to Hide. Unfortunately, we did not realize they were closed as the door was open. Before we asked for a table we decided to use the restroom first. When I came out, Mr. Nagao was yelling at my boyfriend that the restrooms were not for public use and only for customers. He told Mr. Nago we were there to eat but he continued to yell at him. He then proceeded to yell at me as well that the restroom was not for public use. I told him as well that we were there to eat. He then proceeded to yell that they were CLOSED and there was a sign out there (not on the door?), then dismissed us with a wave of his arm and yelled at us to come back next time. #&^*(#$^#&^#! I DON'T THINK SO!\r
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I've never experienced such rude behavior from a restaurant owner. You would think especially in a down economy, he would try extra hard to keep his customers. Sushi places are a dime a dozen in LA. We will NEVER spend another dime in that place nor would we ever recommend it to anyone. God knows when Mr. Nagao will fly off the handle!\r
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From there we went to Hide which we should have just done in the first place. As usual, they were nice, the sushi was fresh and we had a nice meal.
Cons: Horrible customer service!
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I would like to give this place another try before I take it off my list. I take my sushi very seriously, as should you - after all, it is raw fish! My visit to Nagao was not very memorable. The service was decent enough and the fish was not bad. It was though a bit too lemony - they thinly slice lemon and lay it over or aside the sushi pieces, and the fish was all lemon flavor. It's a small room, so there are not a lot of tables. I think it should be a lunch time consideration, if it's convenient. There is parking out back. The place is hard to see because it's on the San Vicente side and sandwiched in tight next to Starbucks I think...
Pros: clean
Cons: price
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This is a great place for some good sushi at reasonable prices with great service. It is pretty small but when you have the sushi you will want to come back for more!!
Pros: Food, Service, Value
Cons: Not enough speciality rolls
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You don't go to Nagao for the location or service...both aren't so great. But the fresh fish ia the best you will have in LA! Their rolls are large and hardly have any rice. They have a series of soybean paper rolls that I highly recomend. The fish quality and large amout you get in a roll is what makes this place great. The tuna tastes so much better than any other tuna, its hard to go anywhere else.
Pros: Best Sushi in Town
Cons: The space + Sevice
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I would go back to this place regularly just for the fresh yellowtail. These are some of the biggest cuts of sushi you'll find in the westside, and you certainly pay for what you get. The quarters are very very cozy, but could leave some feeling a bit claustrophobic.
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Nagao is a great local sushi restaurant. While NOT having the best sushi I have ever tasted, the quality is good and is equal to or a little better than the price. However, the walk-in wait time is why i prefer this place. If you are like me and don't like making reservations, you will love this place. It's not ultra trendy or authentic but i have never had to wait more than ten minutes (I called Sushi Roku and they had an hour wait). This is a hidden gem on the westside.
Pros: No wait, good food, intimate atmosphere
Cons: they don't take reservations (i guess this could be a pro in my case)
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This is my boyfriend's favorite place. He comes here at least twice a month with his friends.\r
I like it because food is great. Fresh sushi, not fishy at all. Although the place is small and a bit crampy, the food is to die for.
Pros: Great Food
Cons: Small Quaint Restaurant
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BermanC you are the man. I took my gf to Nagao and we tried all the dishes you recommended - you are obviously a sushi connouissiour. Hats off to you sir. This is a great sushi restaurant, great fish, nice cozy ambience. Highly recommend.
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This is a great place for a small group. The food taste wonderful. I have been to many sushi restaurants and this is one of the best. The only problem is that many people know it so it gets very crowded and the waiting can be up to 30 minutes. The service is not as bad as one of the reviews says. The waitresses are reserved but nice and professional.
Pros: sushi, atmosphere, service
Cons: always crowded
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I don't care how good the sushi is. It's fine, but the Westside has literally more sushi places than McDonald's, and they're all decent. Nagao, then, is hardly worth the trouble.
The place is super-crowded, there's a wait, and the service staff are morons. They screwed up our order twice; they didn't apologize for it AND they charged us for everything they brought us.
Pros: Convenient, Decent Sushi
Cons: Terrible Service, Ripoff, Crowded
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This place definitely does not have the ""scene"" of some of the other high profile LA sushi joints and Nagao himself may remind some of the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld, but it is my absolute favorite sushi in all of LA. Must haves include Alabacore Sashimi, Spider Roll and Baked King Crab Leg appetizer. I have thought many times about leaving Los Angeles but I'm not sure that I can ever bring myself to move away from Nagao.
Pros: Delicious Food, Inexpensive, Great Service
Cons: Sometimes Crowded
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The fish here is pretty good - reasonably priced. The place is super crowded but its very casual and unpretentious. Definitely get one of the NO RICE rolls they're yummy! Nagao is a real laugh too. Oh, and I saw Alec Baldwin there [for what it's worth]
Pros: no rice rolls
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Nagao is my go to Sushi on the Westside. The wait can be unbearable (yet always worth it) at times. I recommend going at 7pm or after 9 pm. Sit at the bar at Nagao's station for exceptional dining. His very dry humor and phenomenal talent will make for a memorable dining experience. If you get Nagao go with the Chefs Choice for at least part of the meal.
Once you are done, get out of your seat immediately. No chit chatting after dinner. They are in the business of serving fish and they will let you know if you dont leave quickly.
Recommendations:
Cajun Sashimi
Calamari Salad
Spicy Tuna (Toro) hand roll
Any of the Moonlight rolls
Pros: Unique menu, Great Chefs, Best Westside Sushi
Cons: Long wait!, Nagao can't be cloned
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